Redekopp, Tena Warkentin (1909-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Jun 8 p. 29

Birth date: 1909 Jan 30

text of obituary:

TENA REDEKOPP

Tena Redekopp of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Mar. 26. She was born Jan. 30, 1909 to Cornelius and Katharina Warkentin in Steinfeld, Ukraine. In 1925 the family immigrated to Borden, Sask., her parents and 4 children being detained in England for sometime for health reasons. She started working at 15. She taught herself English by reading newspapers and doing crossword puzzles. She married Peter Scott May 29, 1930 in Killarney, Man. In 1938 Peter died, leaving her to raise 4 children. In June 1941 she married Peter Redekopp. They settled in Mission, B.C. They had 2 children. Peter died in 1986. In 1988 she completed a book about her life, Another World. After Peter's death in 1986, she moved to a condo at Evergreen Village and then to Vancouver Island. She became known as the "birthday lady", mailing birthday, get-well and missed-you cards to Sunday school children. In 1993 she moved to Menno Pavilion in Abbotsford. Throughout her life, she crocheted, knitted and tatted items. Churches, MCC, family and friends received doilies, blankets, tablecloths, baby blankets, lap blankets and other items. Each grandchild received an afghan. She made friends wherever she lived. Predeceased by 2 husbands and son John in 1998, she is mourned by children Peter, Donald, Lucie, Susan and Henry; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers and 4 sisters. The memorial service was held Mar. 30 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Peter J. Klassen and George Janzen ministering.